✦ With the blessings of the divine ✦

Shivanshi “Sia” Thakur

presents her Arangetram

A solo Bharatanatyam debut — a journey of devotion, discipline & joy

Date April 24, 2027
Time 5:00 PM
Venue Fairview Library, Toronto
❦ Meet the Artist

About Sia

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Portrait of Sia
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Shivanshi “Sia” Thakur

Shivanshi — lovingly known as Sia — is a devoted student of the classical Indian dance form Bharatanatyam.

For years, Sia has dedicated herself to the grammar of this ancient art: the precise footwork (adavus), the eloquent hand gestures (mudras), the storytelling of the eyes and face (abhinaya), and the rhythmic soul of the music. What began as a childhood curiosity has blossomed into a lifelong passion.

Her Arangetram marks the culmination of this rigorous training — the moment a student steps onto the stage, alone, to offer everything she has learned. It is at once a graduation, a prayer, and a celebration.

“To dance is to pray with the whole body.”

This is placeholder text — add Sia’s personal story, years of training, favourite pieces, and dreams here. You can refine it every day.

✦ The Meaning

What is an Arangetram?

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Ascending the Stage

The word Arangetram comes from Tamil — arangu (stage) and etram (ascending). It is a dancer’s first full solo performance before an audience.

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Years of Devotion

It represents many years of disciplined training under a Guru — a rite of passage where the student demonstrates mastery of technique, rhythm and expression.

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A Solo Journey

Across a full-length recital, the dancer performs alone, moving through a traditional repertoire that builds from pure rhythm to deep emotional storytelling.

The Margam — The Traditional Repertoire

A Bharatanatyam recital unfolds as a Margam (“the path”), a curated sequence of pieces. Sia’s programme will include:

  1. Pushpanjali / Alarippu — An offering of flowers; the invocation that awakens the body.
  2. Jatiswaram — Pure dance woven from rhythm and melody.
  3. Shabdam — Where expression and storytelling begin.
  4. Varnam — The centrepiece; a demanding blend of rhythm and deep emotion.
  5. Padam & Javali — Lyrical pieces rich in abhinaya (expression).
  6. Thillana — A joyous, sparkling finale of rhythm.
  7. Mangalam — A closing blessing of gratitude.

Update this list with Sia’s final chosen pieces, ragas and talas closer to the date.

❦ Guru Vandana

The Guru

Dr. Sanjukta Banerjee

Guru & Artistic Director

Under the loving and rigorous guidance of her Guru, Sanjukta Banerjee, Sia has grown from a young learner into a confident performer ready to take the stage.

A Guru in the Indian tradition is far more than a teacher — she is a mentor, guide, and guardian of an art passed down through generations. Every gesture, every expression, every beat that Sia offers on stage carries her Guru’s dedication within it.

Add a short biography of Guruji Sanjukta Banerjee here — her lineage, school/academy name, achievements, and a note of gratitude from Sia.

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Photo of Guru
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Dr. Sanjukta Banerjee
✦ You’re Invited

Event Details

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Date

Saturday
April 24, 2027

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Time

Doors & welcome
5:00 PM onwards

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Venue

Fairview Library Theatre
35 Fairview Mall Dr,
Toronto, ON

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Live Music

Performed by a full ensemble of
live musicians

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Refreshments

Snacks & a
vegetarian dinner served

Special Guest

To be announced
Stay tuned!

Find Us

Confirm the exact room / theatre name and parking details with the venue.

Evening Flow

  • 5:00 PMGuests arrive & are welcomed
  • 5:30 PMPerformance begins — the Margam
  • 7:30 PMFelicitations & blessings
  • 8:00 PMSnacks & vegetarian dinner

These times are placeholders — adjust as your programme is finalized.

📩 Kindly Respond

RSVP

Your presence will make this celebration complete. Please let us know if you’ll be joining us so we can plan seating and the vegetarian dinner.

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👤 With Gratitude

Our Cherished Guests

We are honoured to welcome 250+ family members and friends to share in this special evening. Thank you for being part of Sia’s journey.

Replace the sample names in script.js with your real guest list (250+). Confirmed RSVPs from the form above are added automatically.